Chapter 297: How far did you research? (1)A major incident erupted just before the club fair. Even I, the Principal, and Sir Villar, who had become somewhat desensitized to typical crises, unanimously agreed that it was a bombshell.
“It’s true. My mana circulation has sped up.”
I silently nodded, acknowledging the dazed tone of the Principal’s voice. This proved that the Mage Duchess’s cookies could enhance anyone’s magical abilities regardless of their skill level.
“Unbelievable. Who would’ve thought a mere cookie could have this kind of effect?”
The Principal, still in shock, lifted the cookie with trembling hands, clearly unable to gather his thoughts. I just watched silently given the gravity of the situation. This was shocking even for me, a non-mage, so I could only imagine how the Principal, who was an experienced mage himself, was processing it.
No one could have predicted this, especially not at such a critical moment. Who would have guessed that the Mage Duchess, who had been quietly focused on baking, would drop such a surprise—and right before the club fair, no less?
It wasn’t intentional, though.
Not that anyone could blame the Mage Duchess—this was as much a surprise to her as it was to everyone else.
The Mage Duchess had immediately started baking after finishing her weekly lecture at the debate club yesterday. She must’ve been tired from the long day, but she threw herself into her work with a bright face. I didn’t interfere; after all, she seemed to enjoy it.
The cookies, which she made with a wide smile and Louise’s encouragement, were eventually placed in front of me.
“Baby, would you mind tasting this and giving me your thoughts?”
“Of course I’d be happy to.”
I nodded quickly. The Mage Duchess had baked countless cookies since the start of the semester, but she always insisted on handling the ‘failed’ ones herself. This was the first time she was offering me one of her creations.
So I gladly took a bite, fully prepared to say that it was delicious no matter what.
What is this?
But something strange happened the moment I tasted it. The mana in my body started circulating faster—much faster.
This shouldn’t be possible. A minor stimulant or potion could have an effect on someone who was just starting to learn magic. But for someone like me who had been through all sorts of magical enhancements and potions, only the strongest ones would have any effect. And yet, my mana flow had increased with just one bite of a cookie? Doubled, even?
At first, I thought it was just a coincidence. However, I became sure of it after finishing the entire cookie and then the entire plate. This was no fluke. Somehow, the Mage Duchess had imbued these cookies with the potency of high-grade potions.
“So... how is it? Do you like the taste?”
I almost laughed when the Mage Duchess asked me that while looking at me with a hint of nervousness. It didn’t seem like she was hoping for a reaction to some potion surprise effect—she just wanted to know how it tasted.
I answered with a quick ‘It’s delicious’ to reassure her, but my mind was racing. If the Mage Duchess had taken these cookies to the debate club without even knowing about this mana-boosting effect, then this absurd rumor would spread like wildfire.
And of course, those rumors came true. Word of the Mage Duchess’s homemade mana-boosting cookies spread rapidly, which was why I was now sitting here on a weekend, brainstorming with the Principal.
“The timing couldn’t be worse. It’s just before the club fair.”
The Principal finally spoke after a long silence, sighing deeply.
“I completely agree.”
It was an entirely reasonable statement, and I couldn’t help but agree. Just the fact that these cookies were handmade by the Mage Duchess made them incredibly symbolic. Every mage at the Academy—and even outsiders—would be clamoring to get their hands on one.
I could already picture people buying one for themselves, one to brag to friends who couldn’t come to the Academy, and another to preserve forever using a preservation spell.
But now, the cookies had the power of a potion on top of their symbolism? And not just any potion, but one so potent that even a seasoned warrior like me, who had been through plenty of doping, and the Academy’s Principal, a grandmaster-level mage, were affected? There was no way people could resist.
The higher the level of a mage, the stronger their thirst for mana. Besides, mages were the type to bet everything they had, even for the slightest advantage.
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